Oliver Stone

Perhaps one of most controversial and politically-charged directors of his generation, Oliver Stone has made some of the most seminal and enduring films of any time. With one foot consistently in the...
Read More...

Film regulators in the U.K. looked likely to slap an 18 classification on the crime thriller, which stars Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson and John Travolta, meaning viewers under the age of 18 would not have been able to see the movie.
However, distributors were keen to land a 15 rating to open the film up to a younger audience and sought advice from regulators - and as a result, they re-edited several scenes.
A statement from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) reads, "This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive an 18 rating but that their preferred 15 rating could be achieved by making changes to a number of scenes.
"These were to reduce various moments of strong bloody violence, sadistic violence, strong sex and some focus on drug use. When an edited version of the film was submitted for formal rating, changes had been made to satisfactorily address these issues and the film was consequently rated 15."
The movie, which has already earned $48 million (£30 million) since its U.S. release in July (12), is set to hit cinemas in Britain next month (Sep12).

It seems as though the "high school reunion" is a newly fertile ground for cinematic storytelling. Comedies like American Reunion and 21 Jump Street have proven that the "going back to high school" motif is filled with comedic opportunity; the upcoming Channing Tatum film Ten Year will add some drama into the mix. But how about murder mystery? That's the fresh angle that the black comedy Searching for Sonny looks to take.
Jason Dohring (Gossip Girl) and Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights) star among a gang of reunited high school chums who realize that old friend Sonny Bosco (Masi Oka of Heroes fame) has gone missing. To make matters more complicated, there seems to be a conspiracy involving Kelly's characters father, as well as an old school play written by Sonny. The excitement quickly elevates to fence climbing, gun fire, and some pretty impressive battle talk. When someone calls himself a "babbling brook," you know he means business.
Check out the quirky trailer below! The Blu-ray/DVD comes out August 28.
More:
Cuba Gooding Jr. Is on the Run in 'One in the Chamber' — EXCLUSIVE CLIP
More Batman!: 'The Dark Knight Returns' Animated Trailer Unleashed
'Greystone Park': Oliver Stone and Son Take on the Paranormal — TRAILER and PICS

Zombies and vampires might lay claim to the horror genre's "trendier" audiences, but there is something about ghosts that will always hold a steady, dedicated fan base. What with a fourth Paranormal Activity on the way, as well as the film The Possession, it is clear that people are fascinated by the idea of departed souls returning to Earth with, let's call it "unfinished business." The upcoming film Greystone Park embraces the found footage realism of the Paranormal Activity series to tell a gripping story about a haunted estate... one that, despite their better instincts, the heroes of the movie can't help but explore.
From the looks of the trailer, Sean Stone's (son of Oliver Stone, who stars in the film) directorial debut certainly has the scare factor. Check out the trailer, poster, and images below. Greystone Park will be available on DVD/Blu-ray on October 16.
More:
'Possession': Jeffrey Dean Morgan Reads the Scariest Bedtime Story Ever — EXCLUSIVE CLIP
'Paranormal Activity 4' Trailer: The Ghosts Are on Your Skype Call
'Grimm' Season 1 Blu-ray Deleted Scene Finds Hank in a Pickle — EXCLUSIVE CLIP

Ready for today's rapid-fire casting round-up? Here are Hollywood's latest TV deals.
Happy Endings: A-mah-zing! Rob Corddry will appear in at least two episodes in the third season of ABC's sitcom, playing a legendary car dealership owner who encounters Jane and Penny (the one looking to buy a car). I'll just go on record right now and say that Jane at a car dealership just sounds all sorts of hilarious. [TVLine]
Golden Boy: House's Odette Annable will recur on CBS' midseason cop drama, playing an assistant district attorney who takes cases brought by the show's central police force to court. [Deadline]
Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous: MTV's new Bo Burnham-led comedy series will feature The Secret Circle alum Shelley Hennig as a "girl next door type" who gets romanced by the titular Zach Stone. [Deadline]
Arrow: Byron Mann joins the CW's superhero series as "an enigmatic man who has a complex connection to Oliver Queen" (Stephen Amell) Something tells me that just about everyone on this show will have a complex connection to the Green Arrow... [Deadline]
Hawaii Five-0: Ving Rhames will guest on the island procedural as a man from Danno's (Scott Caan) past, which will be explored in flashbacks focusing on his stint as a New Jersey policeman. [TVLine]
Follow Marc on Twitter @MarcSnetiker
[Photo Credit: David Herman/DailyCeleb.com]
MORE:
TV Tidbits: Rachael Harris Gets 'Happy Endings,' Matt Lucas Schools 'Community'
TV Tidbits: 'Revenge' Goes 'Greek,' Busy Philipps Checks Into 'Apartment 23'
TV Tidbits: Frankie Muniz, Mark-Paul Gosselaar Move Into 'Apartment 23'

Newsman Larry King has launched a new internet talk show, Larry King Now, on the Hulu.com website, admitting he "missed the action" after stepping down from his daily CNN programme in 2010. His first interviews online will be with filmmakers Oliver Stone and Seth McFarlane and actress Betty White.

While recent animated blockbusters have aimed to viewers of all ages starting with fantastical concepts and breathtaking visuals but tackling complex emotional issues along the way Ice Age: Continental Drift is crafted especially for the wee ones — and it works. Venturing back to prehistoric times once again the fourth Ice Age film paints broad strokes on the theme of familial relationships throwing in plenty of physical comedy along the way. The movie isn't that far off from one of the many Land Before Time direct-to-video sequels: not particularly innovative or necessary but harmless thrilling fun for anyone with a sense of humor. Unless they have a particular distaste for wooly mammoths the kids will love it.
Ice Age: Continental Drift continues to snowball its cartoon roster bringing back the original film's trio (Ray Romano as Manny the Mammoth Denis Leary as Diego the Sabertooth Tiger and John Leguizamo as Sid the Sloth) new faces acquired over the course of the franchise (Queen Latifah as Manny's wife Ellie) and a handful of new characters to spice things up everyone from Nicki Minaj as Manny's daughter Steffie to Wanda Sykes as Sid's wily grandma. The whole gang is living a pleasant existence as a herd with Manny's biggest problem being playing overbearing dad to the rebellious daughter. Teen mammoths they always want to go out and play by the waterfall! Whippersnappers.
The main thrust of the film comes when Scratch the Rat (whose silent comedy routines in the vein of Tex Avery/WB cartoons continue to be the series highlight) accidentally cracks the singular continent Pangea into the world we know today. Manny Diego and Sid find themselves stranded on an iceberg once again forced on a road trip journey of survival. The rest of the herd embarks to meet them giving Steffie time to realize the true meaning of friendship with help from her mole pal Louis (Josh Gad).
The ham-handed lessons may drag for those who've passed Kindergarten but Ice Age: Continental Drift is a lot of fun when the main gang crosses paths with a group of villainous pirates. (Back then monkeys rabbits and seals were hitting the high seas together pillaging via boat-shaped icebergs. Obviously.) Quickly Ice Age becomes an old school pirate adventure complete with maritime navigation buried treasure and sword fights. Gut (Peter Dinklage) an evil ape with a deadly... fingernail leads the evil-doers who pose an entertaining threat for the familiar bunch. Jennifer Lopez pops by as Gut's second-in-command Shira the White Tiger and the film's two cats have a chase scene that should rouse even the most apathetic adults. Hearing Dinklage (of Game of Thrones fame) belt out a pirate shanty may be worth the price of admission alone.
With solid action (that doesn't need the 3D addition) cartoony animation and gags out the wazoo Ice Age: Continental Drift is entertainment to enjoy with the whole family. Revelatory? Not quite. Until we get a feature length silent film of Scratch's acorn pursuit we may never see a "classic" Ice Age film but Continental Drift keeps it together long enough to tell a simple story with delightful flare that should hold attention spans of any length. Massive amounts of sugar not even required.
[Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox]

Those who have read Don Winslow's crime novel "Savages" may be scratching their heads after seeing Oliver Stone's big-screen adaptation, which hit theaters this Friday. The movie Savages takes a sharp turn in its final minutes, settling on an easy breezy happy ending over the more difficult fare presented in its source material. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Was Stone's decision a good one? Not necessarily, but seeing the three leads living healthily and wealthily ever after should be pleasing to some viewers. During last month's press conference in Los Angeles, the director told reporters that the book's nihilistic ending didn't feel right for his film. But instead of cutting it out altogether, Stone pulls a fake out by letting the book's end play out before rewinding and presenting a happier version.
When O's (Blake Lively) two lovers Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Johnson) reach their remote rendezvous point with the cartel, things naturally start to go horribly wrong. Cartel honcho Elena (Salma Hayek) gives the boys O in exchange for her daughter, but it isn't long before a shoot-out leaves Ben fatally wounded. Since Chon and O would rather die than live life as a regular, non-polyamorous couple, they commit suicide on the spot.
Or do they? O's narrative voice soon tells us that this is the romanticized way things played out in her head, then the film doubles back and presents an ending where pretty much everyone ends up living relatively happily ever after. Some bad guys go to jail, other bad guys take over, and our three heroes end up living the expat dream on some remote island paradise.
Does Stone's new ending show us that true love conquers all, even when that true love is a crazy love triangle that goes toe-to-toe with one of the deadliest forces on Earth? Sure! Is the original, nihilistic shocker jarring and tonally appropriate? Absolutely. Vote in the poll below to let us know which ending you prefer, and be sure to back up your choices in the comments.
Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna
Hollywood.com
[PHOTO CREDIT: UNIVERSAL PICTURES]
MORE:
'Savages' Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson on Threesomes and Sharing Blake Lively
'Savages' and Movie's Most Dangerous Romances
'Savages' Red Band Featurette: F-Bombs, Guns Aplenty

The Natural Born Killers director has spent the past four years working on his Secret History of America, which will air later this year (12) as part of a 10-episode series.
He says, "We take a lot of myths that exist and stand them upside-down. It really does look at history in a way I've never seen. We're trying to understand how we got from World War Two to the present."
Stone teamed up with historian Peter Kuznick for the project and the pair is so proud of the end result there's a plan to release a companion book.

Every once in a while a movie comes along that absolutely blows you away and Oliver Stone's Savages from Universal Pictures is just one of those movies. From the opening scene to the last this is a movie that grabs you by the throat and never lets up. It's smart, sexy, fun and dangerous and the cast and director seem to be in total sync from the first frame. Ostensibly a love story set in the drug culture and underworld of the Southern California illegal marijuana trade, "Savages" is based on the novel by Don Winslow and tells the story of two drug kingpins (and best friends) named Cho (Taylor Kitsch), a hardcore warrior and a product of his military training and service in the Iraq war and Ben (Aaron Johnson) a peace-loving, philanthropic product of the sixties who just happens to be the best pot grower in North America. The two share a house and their affections with O (for Ophelia) played by Blake Lively with whom they are both in love and thus this love triangle becomes the basis for the story.
When a ruthless drug lord named Elena(played by a phenomenal Salma Hayek) wants to become partners with the successful California drug kingpins and is then rebuffed by the pair, all hell breaks loose when she sends her crew lead by a menacing Benecio Del Toro to kidnap O and hold her until the pair agree to become her partners in the drug trade. John Travolta plays Dennis, a thoroughly corrupt federal agent who is working both sides against the middle in an attempt to squeeze as much money (and glory) out of the situation for himself.
This is a total return to form for Stone who has had some missteps in recent years, but seems to have gotten his groove back and then some with a film that finds him comfortable in his wheelhouse of hard R-rated action and drama. Not since his legendary "Scarface" has Stone created such dread and tension as he does in key moments in this film. Hell, there is even a chainsaw scene thrown in for god measure.
All of the actors seem totally on their game with Aaron Johnson (virtually unrecognizable from his titular role in "Kick Ass") a total standout as the sensitive and passive Ben whom we see virtually transform before our eyes as events force a change in his demeanor and attitude. Taylor Kitsch proves why he is a leading man in the making despite the box office disappoints of both "John Carter" and "Battleship." His slow burn intensity and sudden bursts of violence coupled with his carefully hidden sensitive side are a thing to behold as he holds the screen in every scene in which he appears. Blake Lively showcases her range in a smaller, yet key role as the pawn in the middle of this cat and mouse game.
In a film loaded with terrific performances, Bencio Del Toro as the hit man with a handlebar mustache is one of the key villains of the movie and gives an unforgettable performance that mixes menace and humor in equal measure. John Travolta appears to also be having a great time under Stone as he chews up the scenery and shines in a unforgettable kitchen scene with Del Toro in the latter part of the movie.
Surprisingly it is Salma Hayek who absolutely captivates as they evil, yet utterly complex drug lord Elena who is at once a homicidal cold-hearted killer and a sensitive and caring mother to her estranged daughter. You cannot take your eyes of her when she is on screen and despite her small stature and incredible beauty strikes fear into her henchmen and the audience. An Oscar nomination would be well-deserved for this career-redefining role that will change how she is perceived from now on.
Ultimately though it is Oliver Stone who must get the lions share of the credit for creating his new masterpiece. A film that pushes the envelope in so many ways, yet never fails to be an entertaining and fun movie to watch. "Savages" is a movie that will exhilarate and entertain, repulse and captivate and is an instant classic in the Oliver Stone cannon of work.
Starts Friday, July 6 nationwide (Rated R) 130 mins.
MORE: 'Savages' Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson on Threesomes and Sharing Blake Lively 'Savages' and Movie's Most Dangerous Romances 'Savages' Red Band Featurette: F-Bombs, Guns Aplenty

The basic premise of most crime revenge dramas is how much of our humanity we're willing to trade to get back what the other people — the ostensible baddies — have taken from us. Oliver Stone returns to this familiar stomping ground with Savages a splashy adaptation of Don Winslow's novel about a unique love affair a major marijuana-dealing business and an increasingly violent pissing match between two SoCal growers and the Baja Cartel.
Stone's frenetic visual style is in full swing but even this Oscar-winning auteur can't quite raise the film from mediocrity. It's hard to care whether or not Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) rescue their gorgeous mutual girlfriend O (Blake Lively) from the cartel if O isn't engaging enough to persuade us she's worth the bloodshed. O (short for Ophelia — an allusion to her earthshaking climaxes) is not a well-written character to begin with but she's even less engaging as played by Lively. Johnson is unconvincing as the bleeding heart Ben and the details his character is given — extra earrings a shoddy-looking tattoo on his neck even white boy dreads at one point — undercut his believability even more. Kitsch is given a few prominent scars and a mean squint but he doesn't quite bring the weird slightly empty vibe of Chon to life.
On the villain side Benicio Del Toro chews every inch of scenery from Laguna Beach to Tijuana as Lado. He's rocking an intense moustache that he strokes when he's lying or being a creep (which is most of the time) a vaguely mullet-like wig and a fondness for torture. Salma Hayek takes no prisoners as the head of the cartel nicknamed Elena la Reina who is both a frustrated mom whose college-age daughter is blowing her off (aw!) and a brutally tough woman in a man's world. John Travolta definitely enjoys a bit of Pulp Fiction ridiculousness as Dennis a DEA official who's in Ben and Chon's pocket. It's hard to tell just how funny Savages is aiming to be. Lado Elena and Dennis are cartoonish but Ben Chon and O are earnest — which is to say a little bit boring.
The double- and triple-crossing is practically moot as is the wacky technology that Ben and Chon employ; it's like The Social Network meets surfers. The real meat of the movie is the flash and violence but it's not the kind of thing that stays with you like Stone's Natural Born Killers. Savages doesn't have the same lingering aftertaste. It's not that a movie needs to have some sort of message with its pointed commentary on the media's bloodlust but the gist of Savages — that we're all savages at heart or that we can easily become a savage given the right circumstances — is not that interesting or unique.
Oddly enough Savages pulls a few punches when it comes to its source material (hard to believe when the movie kicks off with a glimpse of an abattoir-like enclosure and close-ups of men begging for their lives just as a chainsaw revs in the background). Winslow's book is a quick enjoyable read with an interesting on-page style that's hard to replicate verbally. It has a sort of ADD-addled feel that the movie tries to but doesn't quite capture. While it's not always fair to compare an adaptation to the book it's based on Winslow is both the author and one of the screenplay writers so some of the choices made behind the scenes don't quite add up. Cut are significant and menacing back story for Lado and all of the zestiness out of O. Why add in certain plot points and take out others unless it was to give one of its big name stars more screen time? The most interesting part of the story the love story is treated like a wink wink homoerotic thing than an actual relationship between three people who adore each other which is how it's portrayed in the book. It's hard not to be a little disappointed especially given Stone's no-f**ks-given attitude. (Or as O would say baditude.)
That said it is a somewhat entertaining diversion and a nice tour of lifestyles of the rich and criminal. Lively is all tangled tan limbs and luxurious hippie clothes and the homes they frequent whether on Laguna Beach or a desert compound are meticulously decorated with exquisite expensive taste. Santa Muerte imagery also figures heavily in the background of many scenes. The scenery is gorgeous — even the marijuana looks amazing. It's good for adults to have another R-rated choice in what's usually a season dominated by blockbusters but in years to come you'll more likely to reach for your old True Romance DVD than Savages.

Title

Directed the ensemble crime drama "Savages," featuring John Travolta and Salma Hayek; also co-wrote screenplay based on a novel by Don Winslow

Directed the controversial biopic about George W. Bush "W."; also co-wrote and produced

Helmed the Academy Award-winning Vietnam film "Platoon"

Helmed the football-themed drama "Any Given Sunday"

First TV credit as executive producer, "Wild Palms" (ABC)

Directed the satirical film "Natural Born Killers," about serial killers and the media; story by Quentin Tarantino

Featured as subject of a Showtime TV documentary "Oliver Stone: Inside Out"

Formed Ixtlan Productions

Helmed the epic "Alexander," staring Colin Farrell in the title role

Directed the drama "Talk Radio" about a controversial 'shock jock'

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (March)

Directed film about the 1960s rock band "The Doors," starring Val Kilmer as lead singer and composer Jim Morrison

Directed the HBO documentary "Looking for Fidel," a follow-up to "Comandante," the 2003 documentary on the Cuban leader

Made feature writing and directorial debut, "Seizure"

Taught English at the Free Pacific Institute in South Vietnam

Directed a short student film entitled "Last Year in Vietnam"

Worked as a NYC cab driver

Directed the documentary feature "South of the Border"

Directed, produced, wrote, and made a cameo (as an art buyer) in the long-awaited sequel "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps"; Michael Douglas returned to play his Academy Award-winning role as Gordon Gekko

Directed and Produced "Comandante," a documentary on his meeting with Castro

Produced "The People vs. Larry Flynt"; directed by Milos Foreman

Made feature debut as executive producer, "Iron Maze"

Served as executive producer of the Showtime movie "The Day Reagan Was Shot"

Helmed the controversial drama "JFK"; film examined the events leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and alleged subsequent cover-up through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison

Produced the well-received "Reversal of Fortune," starring Jeremy Irons as Claus von Bülow

First gained prominence as a filmmaker with the success of "Salvador"; feature debut as producer; also wrote and directed

Wrote the award-winning screenplay adaptation for "Midnight Express"

Executive produced the HBO film "Indictment: The McMartin Trial"

Helmed the award-winning "Born on the Fourth of July," based on the life of Vietnam veteran and political activist Ron Kovic, who also co-scripted with Stone

Directed Sean Penn and Jennifer Lopez in "U-Turn"

Executive produced "The Joy Luck Club," based on the novel by Amy Tan

Directed and scripted "Nixon," starring Anthony Hopkins as the former U.S. president

Returned to the U.S. and enrolled in film school at New York University

Helmed the true story of Le Ly Hayslip, a Vietnamese girl whose life is drastically affected by the war in "Heaven & Earth"

Made feature acting debut as a bum in "The Hand"; also wrote screenplay and directed

Helmed "World Trade Center," the true story of two police officers who were trapped in the rubble on Sept. 11, 2001

Received Bronze Star for "extraordinary acts of courage under fire" and the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Summary

Perhaps one of most controversial and politically-charged directors of his generation, Oliver Stone has made some of the most seminal and enduring films of any time. With one foot consistently in the 1960s, Stone traveled back in time on numerous films to present his unflinching take on a turbulent time wrought with sex, drugs and an endless war. Though he directed his first film in 1974 and earned an Academy Award for screenwriting four years later, he would have to wait until "Platoon" (1986) in order to gain name recognition and grudging industry respect. But once he was on the map, Stone made a string of exceptional films that cemented his place as one of Hollywood's most unique and compelling directors, thanks to "Wall Street" (1987), "Born on the Fourth of July" (1989) and "J.F.K." (1991). Because of his anti-establishment bent - brought about by two tours in Vietnam and a short stint in prison on smuggling charges - many of Stone's critics automatically dismissed a bulk of his films as being nothing more than the paranoid rantings of a conspiracy theory nut. Sober examination, however, revealed not paranoia, but a man uniquely concerned with the destructive actions of the country he loved. Though some of his films veered in focus - namely "Natural Born Killers" (1994), "U-Turn" (1997) and "Alexander" (2004) - there was no doubting Stone's well earned place in cinematic history.

Jewish-American; Met Stone's mother when he was aide to General Dwight D. Eisenhower in France during WWII; Had extramarital affairs with the wives of several family friends; Divorced from Stone's mother; Died in 1986

Born Dec. 29, 1984; mother, Elizabeth Stone; Appeared in father's films "Wall Street" (1987), "Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and "The Doors" (1991)

Jacqueline Stone

Mother

French-Catholic; Met Stone's father when he was aide to General Dwight D. Eisenhower in France during WWII; Divorced Stone's father years later due to his extramarital affairs; Stone dedicated his film, "Heaven & Earth" (1993) to his mother

Michael Stone

Son

Born c. 1991; mother, Elizabeth Stone

Education

Name

New York University

Yale University

The Hill School

Notes

Stone was awarded France's Order of Arts and Letters in 1992.

He was presented with the "Director of the Decade" Award by the Chicago International Film Festival in 1992.

"In 1992, three years after Stone optioned (Le Ly) Hayslip's first book, and after they had spent weeks visiting her mother's house in Ky La, she took Stone to her master, a Buddhist monk in California, who put the lapsed Catholic through a soul cleansing ritual called Quy Y and gave him a Buddhist name, Minh Duc, which, a shock to his foes, means 'virtue and brilliance.'" – from "The Road to 'Heaven and Earth'" by Jack Mathews, The Los Angeles Times, Dec. 23, 1993

"I would imagine that if Oliver Stone showed his movie to a thousand people and a thousand people didn't exactly get the point that he was trying to make, he would think he failed. To me the best thing about him is his energy. But his biggest problem is that his obviousness cancels out his energy and his energy pumps up his obviousness. He's Stanley Kramer with style." – director Quentin Tarantino to Premiere magazine, November 1994

In 1999, Stone was arrested, and pleaded guilty to drug possession and no contest to driving under the influence. He was ordered into a rehabilitation program.

Stone was arrested on the night of May 27, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA for possession of a small amount of marijuana.

"Oliver Stone is ferociously intelligent. He is never going to give a one-sided look," said Thandie Newton, who played Condoleezza Rice in Stone's "W."

"It's not going for the jugular. Absolutely not, because that would be so easy. That would be lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy. This is about finding the person, and then leaving it open for an audience to judge." – from the Associated Press, Oct. 13, 2008

"It's possible that I was angrier when I was younger. I think a function of getting older is that you become more compassionate toward everybody, even people who dislike you." – Stone qouted in Interview magazine, October 2008

"Conspiracies exist and they have worked. The greatest conspiracies in my lifetime are the ones I grew up under. The Communist conspiracy to rule the world, which was hokum." – Stone quoted in Empire magazine, May 2010

In a July 2010 interview with London's Sunday Times, Stone reportedly said that the Holocaust was overemphasized because of the "Jewish domination of the media" and also commented that "Hitler did far more damage to the Russians than the Jewish people." Following backlash and criticism from various groups, the filmmaker issued an apology on July 27 and said, "In trying to make a broader historical point about the range of atrocities the Germans committed against many people, I made a clumsy association about the Holocaust, for which I am sorry and I regret. Jews obviously do not control media or any other industry."

Affiliations

Scientologist (a former member who claims he quit the group after 4 months)